In a bid to strengthen inclusive and conflict sensitive justice systems, Lawmakers from Zamfara House of Assembly have paid a learning visit to Lagos Assembly to understudy procedures for enactment of Alternative Dispute Resolutions, ADR, bill into law.
At a news conference at Ikeja, Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, Mr Bilyaminu Ismail, said the learning visit aims to enhance the capacity of government institutions and stakeholders’ to manage natural resources induced conflicts using ADR to decongest cases in the court rooms.
While hinting that the lawmakers have also visited Kaduna beginning coming to Lagos, the Speaker commended the Chief Mudashiru Obasa led Assembly in Lagos for the knowledge impacted on them during their visit to the multi doors courtrooms across the state.
“The Multidoor Courthouses established in Kaduna and Lagos as ADR mechanism
have successfully reduced case backlogs, restored public trust in justice delivery, and fostered social cohesion.
“My heart is filled with so much delight as we conclude this important peer learning journey,”
He reaffirmed the legislators commitment to passing the ADR Bill as a strong signal that Zamfara will not allow court congestion, high costs, or bureaucratic delays to stand in the way of citizens’ rights
“This is timely, having identified that access to justice remains a major challenge in Nigeria, particularly in states where conventional courts are overburdened, costly, and time consuming.
Having started implementation in 2023 for the first time in Zamfara state through the ‘Promoting
Stability, Access to Justice, and Accountability Project’ (code-named ‘Samun Adalci Shine
Kwanciyar Hankali’), the Zamfara state law makers embarked on learning visits to Kaduna and Lagos states this time for an opportunity to draw from the proven experiences of these States in
implementing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms/models that have successfully
reduced case backlogs, improved public trust in justice delivery, and promoted social cohesion”.
On his part, Country Director, Zamfara Assembly Technical Partner, International Alert Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Udo, expressed delight that the lawmakers of Zamfara State did not choose to go abroad to learn and adopt ADR models, but came to Lagos where practical, proven systems are already transforming the way justice is delivered, making it more accessible, more affordable, and more trusted by citizens.
Mr Udo emphasised that access to justice is not a privilege but a right, which when denied, makes grievances and conflict to escalate.
“I am proud as a Nigerian to see that the lawmakers of Zamfara State did not choose to go abroad to learn and adopt ADR models, instead, they came to Lagos where practical, proven systems are already transforming the way justice is delivered, making it more accessible, more affordable, and more trusted by citizens.”
“As an organisation, we disrupt the cycle of violence by
promoting inclusive, conflict sensitive, and locally adapted justice systems. By imbibing the trailblazing ADR models pioneered in Lagos and Kaduna, Zamfara can restore peace, justice, and
progress to its communities,” said Kingsley Udo.
Thirteen legislators including Clerk of Zamfara House of Assembly, Mr Mohammed Aliyu and Permanent Secretary, Solicitor General Zamfara Ministry of Justice, Mr Musa Garba, were on the learning visit to Lagos under the Strengthening
Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme, SPRiNG.
Reporting By Yemisi Dada